Oral Maxillofacial Surg Clin N Am 20 (2008) 311–319
Radiographic Correlation with Neck Anatomy
James C. Anderson, MD*, James A. Homan, MD
Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Oregon Health & Science University,
3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code L340, Portland, OR 97239–3098, USA
The anatomy of the head and neck is an
important set of knowledge for the oral maxillo-
facial surgeon. Current imaging techniques and
the exquisite detail that they provide are fre-
quently the first glimpse at disease and important
to surgical planning. CT and MRI are the primary
modes of neck imaging and are complimentary in
the information that they provide. This article
reviews the current methods of anatomic imaging
and the current methods of analysis of the region
by radiologists.
Imaging
CT
Although CT has long been one of the primary
methods of imaging the head and neck, current
scanners have several advantages over the pre-
vious generations of scanners. Multidetector spi-
ral (helical) scanners now are composed of an
array of detector elements mounted in a gantry
that can continually rotate while the table and
patient move through the scanner. This has
largely replaced the ‘‘step-and-shoot’’ process of
earlier CT scanners. This configuration allows
extremely rapid acquisition of a volume data set.
The practical advantage is less motion artifact
from the rapid scan and a data set that allows for
multiplanar manipulation after data acquisition.
Postprocessing in the coronal or sagittal planes
(and into any other nonstandard plane) and into
three-dimensional volume-rendered images and
various slice thicknesses allows depiction of the
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: andejame@ohsu.edu
(J.C. Anderson)
1042-3699/08/$ - see front matter Ó 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.coms.2008.02.001
anatomy in ways that can help visualize anatomy,
disease, and provide insight into surgical ap-
proaches [1]. Intravenous iodinated contrast en-
hancement is generally used to help identify
vascular structures and potentially contrast en-
hancing pathology.
Although contrast-enhanced CT provides ex-
cellent detail of the vasculature of the neck, allow-
ing one to evaluate both the venous and arterial
systems, CT angiography is performed to provide
additional resolution and detail to the vascula-
ture. Multidetector CT scanners allow for rapid
high-resolution acquisition of data timed to cor-
respond to the contrast bolus passing through the
arterial system of the neck. This method has
developed to a point where CT angiography chal-
lenges catheter angiography as the initial method
to evaluate the vasculature of the neck [2,3].
MRI
MRI examinations of the neck are generally
customized for the anatomic area of interest and
the clinical history. Different techniques, coils,
and sequences can be used for areas adjacent
to the skull base versus the infrahyoid region.
Because of the large number of variables that can
be manipulated during scanning, customization
and careful attention to scan quality are vital to
obtain information that is clinically useful.
Although there is no clear superiority of MRI
or CT, MRI does have the advantage in the area
of soft tissue contrast. Depiction of normal soft
tissue anatomy and pathologic process is excellent
with MRI. The relative lack of dental artifact on
MRI gives it the advantage when evaluating the
oral cavity and to some extent the oral pharynx and
adjacent regions. CT data can be markedly de-
graded by the streak artifacts from dental
oralmaxsurgery.theclinics.com
312 ANDERSON & HOMAN

hardware. Although there are methods of scanning

off plane to reduce the area affected by the artifact,
this involves additional scanning and increased
radiation exposure. Previously stated advantages
of MRI to image in multiple planes has been
lessened somewhat by the advent of multidetector
spiral CT scanners, which allow manipulation of
the data into alternate planes to the usual trans-
verse plane [4].
Contrast use in MRI with gadolinium-based
compounds is generally safe, although awareness
of the possibility of contrast reactions and for
nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with
impaired renal function, which is a relatively
new concern, should be considered [5].

Neck anatomy
The complexity of neck anatomy has led to
various means of organizing the structures for
analysis. One of the more entrenched methods is
based on the location of and spread of squamous
cell cancer of the mucosa in the head and neck.
This uses the terms ‘‘nasopharynx,’’ ‘‘oral phar-
ynx,’’ ‘‘hypopharynx,’’ and ‘‘larynx’’ to divide the
neck into locations of the primary disease. This
method of division defines the areas by the
directly visualized mucosa and anatomic struc-
tures. Radiographically, these areas can be de-
fined and the extent of deep tissue invasion of
squamous cell cancer can be evaluated [6].
The nasopharynx is defined anteriorly by the
nasal choana and posteriorly by the prevertebral
musculature, upper cervical spine, and inferior
clivus. The lateral borders are the mucosal sur-
faces including the fossa of Rosenmüller and the
eustachian tube. The inferior extent is the soft
palate and the imaginary line extending posteri-
orly from the hard and soft palate [6].
The oral pharynx is defined superiorly by the
soft palate, and anteriorly by the ring of structures
composed of the posterior tongue (circumvallate
papilla), the anterior tonsil pillars, and the soft
palate. The inferior extent is the epiglottis and
glossoepiglottic fold and the phyngoepiglottic
fold. Posteriorly, the superior and middle con-
strictor muscles are the border [6].
The hypopharynx or laryngopharyx is the area
inferior to the inferior margin of the oral pharynx,
and posterior to the larynx. It extends inferiorly to
the lower border of the cricoid cartilage (Fig. 1)
[6,7].
Although these definitions and divisions are
useful in the staging and evaluation of squamous
Fig. 1. Normal upper aerodigestive tract. This sagittal
upper aerodigestive tract illustrates its major subdivi-
sions: the nasopharynx (N), oropharynx (OP), oral cav-
ity (OC), hypopharynx (HP), and larynx (L). Only the
most cephalad aspect of the larynx and hypopharynx
is above the hyoid bone (arrow). This traditional method
of subdivision for the upper aerodigestive tract follows
along the lines of the primary sites in the extracranial
head and neck where squamous cell carcinoma is found.
This traditional terminology remains central to the stag-
ing issued in squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aero-
digestive tract.
cell carcinoma, they do little to help with the
remainder of the anatomy deep to the mucosal
surfaces when imaged in the traditional transverse
plane of the cross-sectional imaging of CT and
MRI.
Spaces
Because of the transverse plane in which CT
imaging has long been viewed, radiologists have
used various methods to describe the region in
a manner that allows accurate communication of
both the anatomy and the disease processes of the
head and neck. Unfortunately, there have been
debates about the terminology and definition of
the fascia of the neck; it is difficult to define
a single agreed on method for separating the
regions of the neck [6–10].
The method described next is primarily based
on a system refined by Harnsberger. Although
this may only be one of many methods, it has
 RADIOGRAPHIC CORRELATION WITH NECK ANATOMY
somewhat simplified the analysis of the neck when
imaged in the transverse plane. In this method the
fascial planes of the head and neck are used to
divide the region into definable areas and as a
means of systematically analyzing the complex
anatomy to help communicate the imaging find-
ings between colleagues. This spatial method of
analysis has both an anatomic basis and is a
relatively systematic way to evaluate the neck in
the transverse plane on CT and MRI. This
method divides the neck into the suprahyoid and
infrahyoid neck and then further divides regions
by the anatomic fascial planes. In this algorithm,
the facial structures are divided into the sinonasal
region, the orbit, and the oral cavity (Fig. 2). The
remainder of the structures of the face and neck
are divided into spaces using the fascia as defining
structures. The spaces of the suprahyoid neck
are pharyngeal mucosal space, parapharyngeal
space, masticator space, parotid space, carotid
space, retropharyngeal space, danger space, and
perivertebral space. Additionally, there are the an-
atomic locations associated with the oral cavity
including the sublingual and submandibular
Fig. 2. The ‘‘head and neck man.’’ In teaching and writ-
ing about the extracranial head and neck area the discus-
sion is usually divided by the major anatomic regions
shown in this drawing. The suprahyoid neck (SHN) rep-
resents the deep core tissues posterior to the sinonasal
(S/N) and oral cavity (OC) areas. Below the level of
the hyoid bone (arrow) the infrahyoid neck (IHN) can
be seen. A distinct area within the infrahyoid neck is
the larynx (L). BOS, base of skull; CN, cranial nerves;
O, orbit; TB, temporal bone.
313
spaces. Each of these spaces contains a definable
set of structures and is easily identified on cross-
sectional imaging and facilitates communication
between radiologists and clinicians [7].
Suprahyoid spaces
The sublingual space is located in the floor of
the mouth with the mandible defining the antero-
lateral border, the mylohyoid the inferiorly, hyoid
posteriorly, and oral mucosa superiorly. The sub-
lingual glands, deep lobes and ducts of the sub-
mandibular glands, lingual arteries, nerves and
veins, V3 branches from the trigeminal nerve,
genioglossus, geniohyoid, styloglossus, palato-
glossus, hyoglossus, and fat are contained within
the sublingual space. Of pathologic importance,
the posterior margin of the sublingual space freely
communicates with the submandibular and para-
pharyngeal spaces. A common description of the
sublingual space is the ‘‘horizontal horseshoe.’’
The submandibular space lies superior to the
hyoid and inferiolateral to the mylohyoid muscle
and freely communicates with the sublingual
space. This space contains the superficial lobes
of the submandibular glands, anterior bellies of
the diagastric muscles, and level 1A and 1B lymph
nodes. This space is also referred to as the
‘‘vertical horseshoe’’ [11].
The pharyngeal mucosal space is defined by the
mucosal surfaces of the nasopharynx, orophar-
ynx, and suprahyoid hypopharynx. The mucosal
surfaces of the oral cavity can be included, but
more commonly, the oral cavity is considered its
own space. The immediate submucosa is also
included; this space contains mucosa, lymphoid
tissue, minor salivary glands, and some muscular
tissue. MRI is considered the imaging modality of
choice for this space to evaluate for lesions that
cannot be directly visualized or for invasion deep
to the submucosa (Fig. 3) [12].
The parapharyngeal space is a primarily fat-
filled space extending from skull base to hyoid
bone. This space is defined in various ways by
various authors. Some authors divide this space
into the prestyloid and poststyloid compartments;
others include portions of the deep parotid and
muscular tissue of the masticator. The primary
area of debate on this space in the literature is
whether the carotid sheath and its fascial layers
are the posterior border. For the purposes of this
article, however, the definition of this space is the
one used by Harnsberger, which limits the
314 ANDERSON & HOMAN
Fig. 3. T1-wieghted transverse MRI at the level of the
nasopharynx in the suprahyoid head and neck. The pha-
ryngeal mucosa is well seen (arrows) as distinct from the
fat and musculature deep to the mucosal surface.
definition of the parapharyngeal space as the
primarily fatty-filled space that does not include
parotid tissue, mucosa, muscle, bone, or nodes.
The posterior border is the carotid space. The
margins are limited medially by the middle layer
of the deep cervical fascia and laterally by a slip of
the superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia
separating it from the masticator and parotid. The
contents of the parapharyngeal space defined in
this manner are fat, vascular tissue, nerves, and
rare rests of salivary gland tissue (Fig. 4) [12,13].
The primary importance of the parapharyngeal
space radiographically is that it serves as a marker
to determine the location or origin of other path-
ology in the neck because it tends to be displaced
away from the site of origin of any mass. Dis-
placement of the parapharyngeal space laterally
implicates a lesion in the pharyngeal mucosa, post-
eriorly implicates the masticator space, anteriorly
implicates the carotid space, anterolaterally impli-
cates the retropharyngeal space, and medial dis-
placement implicates the lesion resides in the parotid
space.
The masticator space is defined by the super-
ficial layer of the deep cervical fascia (investing
fascia). Medially, this extends from the deep edge
of the pterygoid muscles from the mandible to
attach on the skull base medial to foramen ovale.
Laterally the fascia tracts along the superficial
masseter muscle to the zygomatic arch, then over
Fig. 4. Transverse CT image through the nasopharynx.
Outlined in black is the parapharyngeal space as defined
by Harnsberger. This fat-filled structure is centrally lo-
cated between the other spaces of the neck and is helpful
in determining location of origin of masses.
the temporalis muscle. This more superior extent
(superior to the zygomatic arch) has been termed
the ‘‘temporal fossa’’ or space; however, this is an
anatomic designation only and no fascia separates
these portions of the masticator space. Radiolo-
gists may refer to this area as the superior
masticator space or the suprazygomatic mastica-
tor space; these are equivalent to the term ‘‘tem-
poral fossa.’’ The common term ‘‘infratemporal
fossa’’ is also part of the masticator space, being
the portion between the pterygopalatine fossa
medially and the zygomatic arch laterally. Also
of note, the parotid duct is superficial to the fascia
and is not in the masticator space (Fig. 5) [14,15].
The parotid space is defined as the parotid
gland and the structures that are within it, such as
the facial nerve, vessels, and the intraparotid
lymph nodes. CT is used to evaluate for stone
disease and some acute infections; however, MRI
is the modality of choice for imaging for masses,
perineural tumor spread, and autoimmune dis-
eases (Fig. 6) [16].
The carotid space is surrounded by the carotid
sheath, which has components of the investing
and pretracheal layers of fascia. Within the
carotid sheath are the common and internal ca-
rotid arteries, internal jugular vein, vagus nerve,
and other nervous tissue, and some deep cervical
lymph nodes. The carotid space extends from the
 RADIOGRAPHIC CORRELATION WITH NECK ANATOMY
Fig. 5. Transverse CT image through the nasopharynx.
Outlined in white is the masticator space, which on this
image consists of the masseter muscle (M), mandibular
ramus (R), and pterygoid muscules (Pt). Adjacent struc-
tures include the parotid (P), styloid process (white ar-
row), internal carotid artery (C), internal jugular vein
(J), and vertebral artery (V).
skull base to the mediastinum and is in both the
suprahyoid and infrahyoid neck (Fig. 7) [7,17].
The retropharyngeal space and danger space
can be discussed together because they are situated
Fig. 6. Transverse CT image through the nasopharynx.
The partotid spaces are outlined in white bilaterally.
This space consists of the parotid gland, vessels, facial
nerve, and intraparotid lymph nodes.
315
Fig. 7. Transverse CT image through the nasopharynx.
The carotid space is outlined in black and indicated by
the black arrowheads. The styloid process (white arrow)
lies anterior to the internal jugular vein (J). Masseter
muscle (M) and parotid (P) are indicated.
between the prevertebral layer of the deep cervical
fascia and the buccopharyngeal fascia. It is limited
by the carotid sheaths lateral and also extends from
skull base to mediastinum. It is primarily a potential
space filled with loose connective tissue; however,
in the suprahyoid portion there are lymph nodes
present, most notably the lateral retropharyngeal
nodes or nodes of Rouvière [18,19].
The perivertebral space is the area defined by
the prevertebral fascia, which encloses the bony
vertebra and surrounding muscles. This space is
divided into an anterior and posterior portion by
fascia that attaches to the transverse processes of
the vertebral bodies. This space extends both
suprahyoid and infrahyoid [20].
Infrahyoid
The infrahyoid neck can also be defined by
the anatomic facial planes and correlated with
the usual surgical approaches to these areas. The
traditional approach to these areas is the surgical
and gross dissection triangles. These triangles are
less easily defined and visualized using cross-
sectional imaging viewed in the transverse plane.
Confusion often ensues when transverse images
are viewed and attempted to be interpreted using
the anterior and posterior triangles as anatomic
areas. An alternate method of analysis that is
316 ANDERSON & HOMAN

based on the cross-sectional images and fascially
defined spaces and can then be translated into the
triangle vernacular has been devised. This con-
tinues the terminology and method developed for
the suprahyoid neck [21].
The anterior triangle is defined by the sternoclei-
domastoid muscle as the posterior and lateral
border, the midline is the medial border, and the
inferior border is the clavicle. The triangle is further
divided by the hyoid bone into a suprahyoid and
infrahyoid components. The suprahyoid compo-
nents of the submental and sublingual triangles are
not discussed here. The infrahyoid components are
further divided by the superior belly of the omo-
hyoid muscle into the muscular and carotid triangles.
The posterior triangle is defined anterorme-
dially by the sternocleidomastoid muscle, posteri-
orly by the trapezius muscle, and inferiorly by the
clavicle. It is further divided by the inferior belly
of the omohyoid into the occipital and supra-
clavicular triangles [19].
The spatial analysis of the infrahyoid neck uses
the anatomic fascial planes to define five spaces,
two of which are unique to the infrahyoid anatomy
and the other three are continuations from the
suprahyoid neck. These spaces are the visceral
space, carotid space, retropharyngeal space, peri-
vertebral space, and posterior cervical space. The
carotid, retropharyngeal, and perivertebral spaces
have been discussed previously (Fig. 8).
The visceral space is enclosed by the pretra-
cheal layer of the deep cervical fascia, or to avoid
confusion the visceral layer, because it surrounds
the tracheal, esophagus, and thyroid (Fig. 9). This
extends from the hyoid into the thorax. Posteriorly
the visceral layer blends with the buccopharyngeal
fascia and laterally with the carotid sheath [21].
The posterior cervical space is essentially the
primarily fat-filled space, with some lymph nodes
and the spinal accessory nerve, which lies between
the perivertebral space posteromedially, the ca-
rotid space anteromedially, and the investing layer
of the deep cervical fascia surrounding the ster-
nocleidomastoid muscle laterally. This space is
predominantly infrahyoid in location, although
a small portion does extend superior to the hyoid.
This space is essentially equivalent to the posterior
triangle [19,21].
Lymphatic system
The use of imaging in the evaluation of the
cervical lymphadenopathy for neoplastic, inflam-
matory, and infectious processes is frequently
encountered in current medical practice. It is
critical for the interpreting radiologist and con-
sulting surgeon to have a comprehensive knowl-
edge base and understanding of the normal
cervical lymphatic anatomy.

Fig. 8. (A) Transverse CT image through the infrahyoid neck. The investing fascia is highlighted and demonstrates it
splitting around the sternocleidomastoid muscule (SCM) and the trapezius muscle (T). (B) Transverse image through
the infrahyoid neck. The prevertebral fascia is highlighted. This fascia defines the perivertebral space, which is both
suprahyoid and infrahyoid in location, extending from skull base into the thoracic region.
 RADIOGRAPHIC CORRELATION WITH NECK ANATOMY
Fig. 9. Transverse image through the infrahyoid neck at
the level of the cricoid cartilage (white arrow). The prever-
tebral layer of the deep cervical fascia (or visceral fascia) is
highlighted in white. This fascia encircles the thyroid gland
(T), larynx, and esophagus. Posterior to the visceral space is
the retropharyngeal space (black arrowheads), which is seen
as a thin dark line of fat between the esophagus and the
vertebral body. C, carotid artery; J, internal jugular vein.
The cervical lymphatic system demonstrates
characteristic drainage patterns that involve nu-
merous chains and clusters. These patterns of
drainage were categorized into zones for prognos-
tic importance and reproducible anatomic locali-
zation for neck dissection. The system currently in
place is the revised Neck Dissection Classification
by the American Head and Neck Society and
American Academy of Otolarynogology-Head
and Neck Surgery that divides the cervical lym-
phatic system into separate levels [22].
Currently, the system organizes each side of
the neck into six levels, with levels I, II, and V
further subclassified secondary to additional path-
ologic importance. Level I lymph nodes include
the submental and submandibular groups. The
submental nodal group (level IA) is bounded by
the triangle formed by the anterior belly of the
diagastric and hyoid bone and receives drainage
from the floor of the mouth, anterior oral tongue,
lower lip, and mandibular alveolar ridge. The
submandibular nodal group (level IB) is bounded
by the triangle formed by the anterior bellies of
the diagastric, stylohyoid, and body of the man-
dible. This level receives drainage from the oral
cavity, midface soft tissues, submandibular gland,
and anterior nasal cavity.
Level II is the upper jugular lymph nodes
including the jugulodigastric node, which are
317
bounded by the skull base, hyoid bone, stylohyoid
muscle, and the posterior border of the sterno-
cleidomastoid muscle. This level is subclassifed
into IIA and IIB by a vertical plane created by the
spinal accessory nerve. Level IIA is anterior and
level IIB is posterior to the spinal accessory nerve.
The drainage received by this level includes oral
cavity, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx,
hypopharynx, larynx, and parotid gland.
Level III is the middle jugular nodes and
delineated by the hyoid, cricoid cartilage, poste-
rior sternocleidomastoid muscle, lateral sterno-
hyoid muscle, common carotid, and internal
carotid. Lymph drainage into this level is from
the oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypo-
pharynx, larynx, and parotid gland.
Level IV is the lower jugular nodes and located
within the borders created by the cricoid cartilage,
clavicle, lateral sternohyoid, common carotid, and
posterior sternocleidomastoid muscle. Hypophar-
ynx, thyroid, esophagus, and larynx all drain into
this nodal group.
Level V posterior triangle group are inferior to
the spinal accessory nerve and transverse cervical
artery and bounded by the trapiezus muscle,
posterior sternocleidomastoid muscle, and clavi-
cle. This level is also separated into VA spinal
accessory nodes from VB transverse cervical-
supraclaviclular nodes by a horizontal line ex-
tending from the cricoid. Drainage is from the
nasopharynx, oropharynx, and cutaneous struc-
tures from the neck and posterior scalp.
The final group is the level VI anterior com-
partment, which includes the prelaryngeal, pre-
thyroid, and pretracheal and paratracheal nodal
groups. This compartment is bounded by the
hyoid, suprasternal notch, and lateral boundaries
of the common carotid arteries. These nodes
receive drainage from the thyroid gland, larynx,
piriform sinus, and esophagus.
Lymph nodes not located within these regions
are designated by their specific anatomic location.
Examples include retropharyngeal, parotid, buc-
cinator, postauricular, malar, mandibular, in-
fraorbital, and suboccipital groups.
Radiographic-based lymph node classification
Unfortunately, not all of the designated ana-
tomic boundaries are radiographically apparent.
Radiologists have devised substitutes that approxi-
mate the surgical landmarks (Box 1). The stylohyoid
muscle and spinal accessory nerve are examples with
318 ANDERSON & HOMAN
Box 1. Radiographic-based lymph node
classification
Level I nodes are contained superiorly by
the mylohyoid muscle, inferiorly by
the lower body of the hyoid bone, and
anteriorly by an imaginary coronal line
at the posterior margin of the
submandibular gland on axial
imaging. Level I nodes are further
subdivided into IA and IB.
Level IA (submental) nodes are those
level I nodes contained laterally by the
medial aspects of the anterior
diagastric muscles, superiorly by the
mylohyoid, and inferiorly by the lower
body of the hyoid.
Level IB (submandibular) nodes are level
I nodes contained superiorly by the
mylohyoid, inferiorly by the lower
body of the hyoid, medially by the
medial aspects of the anterior
diagastric muscles, and posteriorly by
a coronal line at the posterior aspects
of the submandibular gland.
Level II (upper jugular) nodes are
contained superiorly by the skull base
from the margin of the jugular fossa and
inferiorly to the lower body of the hyoid.
The anterior border is the imaginary
coronal line that extends from the
posterior edge of the submandibular
gland. The posterior border is an
imaginary coronal line at the posterior
aspect of the sternocleidomastoid
muscle on axial imaging. Any lymph
nodes medial to an imaginary sagittal
line through the carotid artery are
referred to as ‘‘retropharyngeal’’ and not
level II. Level II nodes are subclassified
into IIA and IIB.
Level IIA nodes are anterior, lateral,
medial, and posterior but inseparable
from the internal jugular vein.
Level IIB nodes lie posterior to the
internal jugular vein separated by
a visible fat plane.
Level III (middle jugular) nodes are
contained superiorly by the lower
body of the hyoid and inferiorly by the
lower margin of the cricoid cartilage.
These nodes also lie anterior to the
posterior border of the
sternocleidomastoid muscle and
medial to the common and internal
carotid arteries.
Level IV (lower jugular) nodes are
contained superiorly by the lower
margin of the cricoid, inferiorly by the
clavicle, anterolateral by an oblique
line from the posterior margin of the
sternocleidomastoid, and medially by
the common carotid artery.
Level V nodes are contained posteriorly
by a coronal line on axial imaging from
the anterior margin of the trapezius
muscle and anteriorly by the posterior
margin of the sternocleidomastoid
from the skull base to the clavicle.
Level V nodes are also subdivided into
VA and VB nodes.
Level VA (spinal accessory) nodes are
level V nodes superior to a horizontal
line from the lower margin of the
cricoid cartilage to the skull base.
Level VA (transverse cervical/
supraclavicular) nodes are those level
V nodes that lie inferior to the lower
margin of the cricoid and clavicle.
Level VI (anterior compartment) nodes
are contained superiorly by the lower
body of the hyoid and inferiorly by the
sternal manubrium. These nodes also
lie medial to an imaginary sagittal line
through the common and internal
carotid arteries.
the posterior submandibular gland and fat plane
posterior to the internal jugular vein being the ra-
diographic correlates, respectively [23,24].
Summary
This article reviews the anatomy of the head
and neck with regards to its radiology. A brief
discussion of the current imaging modalities is
provided. The various methods of visualizing,
analyzing, and communicating this complex re-
gion of anatomy are correlated.
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